be present. The Directors, therefore, did their best, despite their disappointment at not having a Royal opening, to make the ceremony as attractive as possible; and the assemblage of notable and distinguished personages was in every way worthy of the occasion. From nine to one o'clock on the Tuesday morning tickets of admission to the Esplanade and Pier were issued from the Pier office to all applicants. Soon after one o'clock a procession started from the Old Ship Hotel in the following order :- Town Beadles. Military Band of Music. High Constable, Mr. William Blaber. Town Commissioners, two and two, with badges and scarves. About two o'clock the procession reached the outer head of the Pier, where a temporary room had been constructed and a déjeuner provided. About 250 persons of "rank and respectability," says a chronicler, sat down to the entertainment, which was of the most superb description, the tables being tastefully decorated; the caterers were Mr. Phillips, of the Old Steine, and Mr. S. J. Hodd, of "The White Horse Hotel." Captain S. Brown, R.N., the scientific projector and builder of the Pier, presided, and Mr. Thomas West, of the Brighton Union Bank, officiated as vice-President. Among the guests were Count de Suza, the Portuguese Ambassador, Count Funchal, Earls Cowper and Besborough, Viscount Molesworth, Lords Duncannon, Holland, Radstock, Cremorne, and Ellenborough, the Bishop of Dromore, the Dean of Salisbury, the Hon. Mr. Trevor, Sir E. Stanhope, Sir J. Paul, Sir R. Wilmot, Sir Samuel Falkiner, Sir Matthew Tierney, Sir R. Borough, Sir W. Cunningham, Sir W. Gomm, Mr. J. Smith, M.P., several of the Officers of the 7th Hussars, Royal Fusiliers, and the 58th Regiment, Dr. Yates, Dr. Gibney, Dr. Blair, Mr. J. M. Cripps, Mr. R. Parker, and many of the principal visitors to the town and residents. The post-prandial proceedings were of the most pleasant character: "The Health of our beloved Sovereign" was first given, and received with much enthusiasm. This was followed by "The Duke of York and the Army," "The Duke of Clarence and the Navy," "The Royal Family," "Prosperity to the Town of Brighton, "The Lord Lieutenant of the County," "The County Members," "The Magistrates," "The Town Commissioners," and other appropriate toasts, all of which were warmly received. A song, composed for the occasion by Mr. Heathcote, of the Theatre, was sung by Mr. Colpoys, and greatly applauded. "The Health of Captain Brown" was proposed in the most flattering terms by Mr. Thomas Read Kemp, M.P. The gallant Captain, in acknowledging the honour, said, "Gentlemen, I am sensible that it is incumbent on me to say a few words on this gratifying and interesting occasion, and I shall therefore have to rely much on your liberality while I am speaking on a subject in which I am so particularly interested. I commenced my operations about this time last year, and had to encounter many difficulties during the winter; but these obstacles afford the best proof of the strength and stability of the Pier, now that it is completed, and the crowds of spectators assembled on this occasion must have put it to a much more severe test than it can ever be subject to." After thanking the company for the honour done him, Captain Brown proposed "The Health of the Noblemen and Gentlemen present," to which the Earl of Aberdeen responded. The opening ceremonial took place at half-past four. The Directors of the Pier Company, with their Secretary, Mr. Slade, assembled on the Pier-head, when the latter made proclamation that "the Pier was Open, according to Act of Parliament." * The Directors, with many of the Company, then proceeded down the Pier and along the Esplanade to the entrance gates, when the Proclamation was again made by the Town Crier that "the Pier was open." Mr. W. S. Forth, Master of the Ceremonies of Brighton, paid the first toll (2d.) for passing through the gates. The ceremonial concluded about six o'clock. So much interest was felt in the event that it was calculated that at about two o'clock there were assembled on the Marine-parade as many as 25,000 persons, and that there. were besides nearly 5,000 persons on the Pier and Esplanade. The town, in fact, from nine in the morning until ten at night was "a scene of animation." There was a grand display of fireworks on the Pier in the evening, under the skilful direction of Mr. Jones. To give still further éclat to the memorable day, and to afford a brilliant close to the various festivities, Captain Brown gave at his residence a grand Ball and supper to his immediate friends, nearly 100 being present. The floor of the ball-room furnished a pleasurable surprise to the guests, for on it was an accurate representation of the Chain Pier, beautifully designed and executed in chalk by Mr. Edward Fox, artist, of Ship-street (father of Mr. E. Fox, photographer), which was greatly admired. The entertainment was in every way a success. The supper room, when opened, says a graphic chronicler, "presented *It may be stated that, for some two or three weeks previous to the formal opening and the transference of the Pier to the Company, some thousands of persons had been allowed to go on it on payment of sixpence. a sight as magnificent to the eye as inviting to the palate. The coup d'ail when the company, the greater part of whom were ladies, elegantly attired, and including some of the loveliest women in creation, were seated, was enchanting, and the tout ensemble, to the varied survey, imposing and grand." Altogether the day was one to be remembered. How the Pier Progressed. The Eastern front of the town had thenceforth added to it a beautiful and unique structure, which afforded not only a charming promenade for visitors and residents, but one of special utility in other directions. It is gratifying to record that, in February, 1824, a proposal was mooted. to present Captain Brown with a piece of plate on the part of the Commissioners, the inhabitants, and visitors to the town, in recognition of his wonderful work. A considerable amount was subscribed, and later in the year a massive and exceedingly handsome silver vase was presented to him. The vase was surmounted by a figure of Britannia, and the belt round the cover contained the following inscription: PRESENTED TO CAPTAIN SAMUEL BROWN, R.N., By the Commissioners, Inhabitants, and Visitors of Brighton, in testimony of their esteem for his public spirit and talent displayed in the Construction of the Chain Pier. 1824. The vase was encircled by chain cables (resembling those invented and introduced into the Naval service by Captain Brown in 1810). The handles of the vase represented two improved anchors, adapted expressly for the use of the chain cables. Round the body of E the vase was a perspective view of the Pier in the finest workmanship; the vase itself being supported by three dolphins (the Brighton arms). The "contents" of the vase were three Imperial gallons; its weight was 360 ounces; and its value £350. A medal was also struck in February, "To commemorate the Erection of the Brighton Royal Chain Pier.” On the obverse was a portrait of His Most Gracious Majesty, George IV., and on the reverse a view of the Royal Chain Pier. This was engraved by Benjamin Wyon, and was sold, in bronze at 10s., and in silver at LI 11s. 6d. (See plate annexed). There is one other matter that may be mentioned in passing, which occasioned some regret, and that was the absence of Royalty at the opening. The fact was, the King was unwell, and he had also given way to habits of seclusion, he only appeared thrice in public, when at Windsor and London, in 1823-and it is just possible that the Duke of York and the Duke of Clarence declined to officiate at the opening ceremonial from fear of giving offence to His Majesty. The King came to Brighton early in December, and stayed till the middle of February. There is no record that His Majesty whilst here went upon the Pier; but, as showing his interest in it, he was, previously to leaving Brighton for Windsor, driven in his travelling carriage up the Marine Parade to view the beautiful structure, and thence, without alighting, set out on his journey. It should be stated that, when the King came to Brighton in December, 1823, just after the Chain Pier was opened, the structure was happily and ingeniously utilized to testify the joy of the inhabitants at His Majesty's arrival, namely, by illuminating it. The preparations occupied nearly three days, and some 16,000 1 |